Software seized in anti-piracy raid IN A crackdown on piracy, a PC loaded with pirated Microsoft Windows XP software was seized recently. The successful raid against a local computer reseller, offering unlicensed Microsoft Windows XP software, was carried out by Microsoft Gulf, in collaboration with the Qatari Ministry of Economy. In its capacity as a member of the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the leading global organisation that is the voice of the world’s commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace, Microsoft provided the essential information that helped Qatari authorities raid the illegal trader and confiscate 150 assorted pirated CDs. Microsoft has been co-ordinating with various Middle Eastern governments to intensify domestic and regional anti-piracy efforts, resulting in numerous raids by authorities and the public destruction of thousands of pirated media. The BSA has also been conducting awareness campaigns with full government support to educate the public and private sectors on the negative socioeconomic impact of crimes against intellectual property rights (IPR). Senior Ministry Official, Abdullah Ahmed Qayed said: “As a leader in IT infrastructure development throughout the Middle East, Qatar will not tolerate criminal acts against intellectual property rights, particularly software piracy. We will continue to identify and prosecute violators of our IPR laws; we shall also strengthen our partnerships with private organisations such as the BSA who share our commitment to eliminating this illegal trade domestically and regionally. “The Qatar Ministry of Economy will continue its vigilance in safeguarding our country’s rapidly-developing IT sector,” said Qayed who is the head of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Office Commercial Affairs Department at the Ministry. Qatar currently has one of the better anti-piracy ratings in the region, influenced by a strong government commitment to secure its status as one of the best IT-enabled countries in the Middle East as cited by the World Bank’s Knowledge Economy Index. The Ministry of Economy signed an MoU with the BSA in December 2007 committing stronger collaboration in enforcing IPR laws, which is vital to attracting foreign investment and sustaining the rapid growth of Qatar’s IT industry. Prior to the raid, the ministry supported a BSA anti-piracy awareness campaign educating businesses on software management and copyright protection, cyber security, trade, e-commerce and other Internet-related issues. Both parties are currently in constant communication to develop better IPR protection strategies tailored to Qatar’s unique software trade environment. “Qatar’s favourable commercial and economic policies have led to the phenomenal growth of its IT sector. Unfortunately, this success has also resulted in illegal and unlicensed software proliferating the market, which has the potential to inflict serious damage on the country’s reputation as an emerging regional IT hub,” BSA Middle East chairman, Jawad al-Redha said. “We appreciate the government’s efforts, particularly through the Ministry of Economy, to ensure that the country’s progressive IT-building activities are not negatively impacted,” he added. GT

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